This is probably more of a gripe than a question. Today's announcement of an exciting non-conference basketball tournament (Nike) is great but that seems to mean less chances of a quality non-conference opponent at Breslin. This season's non-conference schedule at Breslin is garbage. Can we expect more of the same going forward? Are exciting home / away series a thing of the past for non-conference schools? As a season-ticket holder, I am paying good money to see a lot of bad basketball teams.

by bleed_n_green9/22/2016 5:13:19 PM

Definitely an issue that Hollis tries to balance. That Phil Knight Invitational is a one-off deal right now, though.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:13:43 PM

What's your take on Wisconsin? Are they legit? They certainly have the most brutal stretch of games coming up.

by bleed_n_green9/22/2016 5:13:47 PM

Defense is legit. Offense is in flux. Sounds like 2012 MSU, doesn't it?

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:14:39 PM

How many O linemen played in how many combinations at ND? Seems like I saw Cody Kieler at a number of spots.

by Flat Rock Sparty9/22/2016 5:14:41 PM

Kieler as I said earlier was at three spots, McGowan and Allen at two apiece. Didn't go through and count the total number of combos. However, Higby got in and makes seven deep in the rotation.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:15:13 PM

The wildcat formation with Terry has been unproductive. Every knows he's running right. Agree?

by WISparty9/22/2016 5:15:31 PM

More from Salem on Terry: "It’s been situational, third and shorts. It happened to be that way this Saturday, but he’s a guy that obviously has the ability to throw."

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:15:55 PM

Can you pick a time for chat and quit changing it? You are effing up my whole universe here!

by KMB9/22/2016 5:15:58 PM

1 p.m. Thursdays moving forward. Mark it on your calendar or get a tattoo on your wrist.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:16:10 PM

Chris,Our O line seemed to get a real push at ND, but Wisky is huge on both lines. Do we continue to see Jamal Lyles in at DE to help keep their ground game in check or are the freshmen DT's ready to go yet?

by TJ9/22/2016 5:16:20 PM

Lyles will stick until the freshmen are ready, that's my g uess.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:16:37 PM

Panasiuk didn't play much vs. ND. Naquan Jones had his hand in a wrap vs. Furman and didn't travel to ND.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:17:03 PM

Do you expect the Spartan's offensive scheme to add counters and options to the current play calling against UW's run killing defense?

by Jock19719/22/2016 5:17:17 PM

They've sprinkled some of that in already this year. Jet motion plays are becoming even more integral as well. OL has done a good job pulling more often, too.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:17:44 PM

Hey Chris! Understanding the desire to play Terry; do you think we will see him at flanker rather than QB? It seems that when he is in at QB the defense commits to a "stop the QB run" scheme and usually does... Thoughts?

by Jock19719/22/2016 5:17:47 PM

Was in for one play at WR. Ball went away from him.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:17:59 PM

While O'Connor doesn't seem to have quite the arm Cook did, it seems like so far he makes great decisions, safe throws, and knows how to use his legs effectively. Do you think those deep balls will come around? Seems like we'll need to take the tops off of defenses going forward. Not everyone is going to have Cole Luke and a bunch of nobodies in their secondary.

by sf wolf9/22/2016 5:18:11 PM

Like I said, two other balls nearly picked off. Tried to force the INT to Price and was locked in on him, ball also behind his TE. Definitely work to be done downfield in his game.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:18:46 PM

Will we see more blitzing from lb's against Wisky?

by mysondave9/22/2016 5:18:56 PM

With young QB, I would guess. Not that the LBs haven't already been blitzing a lot. Best group in program history, and very versatile in their skill-sets.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:19:24 PM

Why does MSU football go conservative? Teams like Alabama will run the score up; they play to win until the clock reads 00:00. They don’t ever seem to play not to lose, but from my couch it looks like MSU is consistent in backing off when in the lead.

Detroit Free PressIt may not be the best use of Spartans’ talents, however

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:19:57 PM

Chris, is it fair to say MD is trying to keep the redshirts on Robertson and King at all costs? 2nd question: You think they get burned eventually this season? I mean, how much can Clemmons (who was an absolute STUD in the ND game btw) and Lyles play on both sides?

by KeithKZ9/22/2016 5:19:58 PM

Answered most of these earlier, but I would think at least one of those redshirts gets burned between Robertson and King.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:20:31 PM

TOC has looked more mobile and slippery compared to, say, Connor Cook. Cook was a great QB, don't get me wrong. But can TOC's mobility and savvy make up for Cook's precision and experience? Should we unleash TOC?

by Sonorous riot9/22/2016 5:20:36 PM

Looked very good in running the ball, I must say. That's a component no MSU QB under Dantonio has shown. Who'd have thought O'Connor would outrush Kizer 43-14 in that game? Not me.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:21:15 PM

Will Izzo have another final four chance this year?

by mysondave9/22/2016 5:21:16 PM

Talent is there, but it's very young and raw, and the schedule is a gauntlet early. It'll prepare them for March.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:21:41 PM

How good is/was ND's D-line expected to be this year? Our O-line sure had their way with them for most of the game. Have to say that was a big area of concern going into this season. If we are able to do the same thing against Wisky's D-line on Saturday then IMO it's safe to put that worry to bed.

by KeithKZ9/22/2016 5:21:51 PM

Valid question. Especially after Texas' latest loss. ND might not be as good as advertised, but part of that is how decimated the Irish secondary is. Wisconsin front seven is legit and will be a bigger test.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:22:40 PM

Chris thanks for moving this to 1pm....this is awesome for my schedule anyway.

by KeithKZ9/22/2016 5:22:42 PM

Bittersweet having Sadler inducted.....I still can't get over that he died. Sucks.....big time. Glad he's being honored though.

by KeithKZ9/22/2016 5:22:54 PM

Going to be a tough day today with the induction. A lot of emotions expected Saturday.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:23:05 PM

Wisconsin traditionally has very good and very physical lines. How do you think we can hold up against this year's version? I worry that we'll lose the battle in the trenches.

by Plymouth Observer9/22/2016 5:23:17 PM

Depth issues for MSU on OL/DL still are a concern, especially in what I expect to be a very physical battle with Wisconsin. From what we saw Saturday, they can hold up. Will be where the game is won this week.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:23:58 PM

Why aren't the tight ends being used more in the passing game?

by Tee9/22/2016 5:24:02 PM

Price has been targeted by O'Connor, it's just two of them went for picks.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:24:34 PM

Big road win for the Spartans, do you think they can have as much offensive success against a much better defense?

by Jim Bales9/22/2016 5:24:42 PM

This will be a more significant test, no doubt.

by Chris Solari9/22/2016 5:24:54 PM

The ND game made for a tough night for the "football experts" at the Free Press. You guys rethinking anything or is it just steady as she goes?